OTTAWA, CANADA ­- The Honourable Maurizio Bevilacqua, Secretary of State (Science, Research and Development), on behalf of Industry Minister Allan Rock, and CANARIE Inc. President and CEO, Andrew Bjerring, today announced a $110 Million Funding Agreement to design, develop and operate Canada's National Research and Innovation Network, CA*net 4. This network will benefit the society, culture and quality of life of Canadians while enhancing Canada's opportunities in the global knowledge-based economy.

"CA*net 4 provides Canadian researchers with the network essential for innovation in the 21st century," stated Secretary of State Bevilacqua. "Our goal is to make Canada one of the top five countries in the world for research and development performance by 2010 and the network is fundamental to achieving this. It will allow Canadian researchers to pursue world-class research in areas important to all Canadians, such as health, education and the environment."

"CA*net 4 will help Canada and Canadian companies retain their leadership position in the development of advanced research networks and networking technology and applications," said Andrew Bjerring. "With Industry Canada and our partners, we are changing how networks are designed and used and how computing is done."

The development and implementation of CA*net 4 is vital to scientists and researchers who conduct leading-edge research in this country. CA*net 4 will be built in partnership with the private sector and with participating provincial research networks. It will also create domestic and international partnerships to accelerate the development of sophisticated network tools and advanced research applications.

CA*net 4 will provide Canadian researchers with an innovative network that will enable them to collaborate with their peers in Canada and around the world to develop and test new applications and technologies. Research grids, which are emerging as the global standard for research initiatives, will now be possible in Canada.

The construction of CA*net 4 is starting immediately. Its launch is scheduled for early fall 2002.

Contact:
Liz Yong-Laflèche
Office of Secretary of State Maurizio Bevilacqua
email address
ph: +1.613.943.7032

Susan Baldwin
Senior Director, Operations CANARIE Inc.
email address
ph: +1.613.943.5399